There's bound to be talk tomorrow. (Kaegan)

[Avu]

If you’re looking to get tail, there are better ways to do it than antagonizing greens, Spara.

Crass Minething…very crass…now is that something you’d say to a lady?

“I don’t think,” Ce’thian pointed out briskly, dog-earing the corner of a page in his book and setting it neatly on the arm of his chair as Sparath coiled in to land on the weyrledge, the bronze dragon tilting his head coyly, “That you could get much further from a lady if you tried, Sparath.” He rubbed the heel of his hand against one eye and then pursed his lips at the dragon, “What were you actually doing?” Not that Sparath didn’t sometimes mess around with other dragons just for its own sake but usually there was some ulterior motive, or else he’d be too lazy to do anything at all.

Apparently the fact that Ce’thian was well aware of Sparath’s motivations did not mean Sparath intended to ever give him a straight answer if he could avoid it. The bronze coiled his tail around his haunches, dipping his head coquettishly towards his chest, Pllllease, Minething, you have such a horrid suspicious mind…what if I fell in looove with the spitfire greenling. You’d feel ever so awful about thinking such spiteful things… He actually batted his eyes at Ce’thian, and then, as Ce’thian leveled him an unimpressed look, the bronze uttered a dramatic sigh. Well fiiiine then…I was scouting. Now I’m hungry for all the effort I put into scouting. Come feed me.

“What are you, a Weyrling?” Nevertheless, Ce’thian half-wiggled and half-untwisted himself from his position on the chair, stepping over to Sparath on the ledge without reluctance. Because really—he did need to get out and around more but it was winter and Ce’thian was spectacularly unproductive in the wintertime. It was cold and exercise struck him as unappetizing in the freezing weather, and curling up with something to read was just so much nicer, but it still wouldn’t do to turn into a hermit.

Ce’thian pulled himself onto Sparath just as the bronze slipped off the ledge, apparently unwilling to be patient; he twirled to gain altitude in the tunnels and maneuvered out to the feeding grounds, remarkably uncomplaining—usually Sparath hated the dead air in the weyr, not least because Ce’thian thought he was possibly the laziest dragon in the history of Pern and liked to ride the wind instead of actually, you know, flying. A second later, Ce’thian got it—there was a distinctive gold dragon already in the feeding grounds.

Scouting, huh, he commented dryly.

Please Minething, it’s not like you asked about specifics, Sparath replied, And I am hungry so there.

You /are/ a Weyrling, Ce’thian observed, mildly, as Sparath swept in to land near the edge—casually flicking his tail in greeting to Kaegan. Ce’thian nodded a greeting at her and then offered, like a preemptive disclaimer, “So I’m hoping Millieth doesn’t offend easy, Sparath’s a dick sometimes.” Slanted a grin at her, which he supposed wasn’t quite respectful but they weren’t on duty, so Kaegan could probably deal. She didn’t seem to have much power to throw around anymore anyway, aside from her dragon’s womb. “How’re you doing?”

Herdbeast, herdbeast, goldie, herdbeast, was Sparath’s greeting to Millieth, purred in playful amusement to the gold as he dipped lower to examine his meal choices, One of these objects does not belong…shall we play a guessing game?

[Tashe]

Kaegan, who thoroughly missed the snow even after having spent so many years in the south, was enjoying the cold weather that the mountains provided. It had snowed a few days ago, adding more white to the already snow dusted trees, at least in the upper altitudes. Closer to the jungle it was free of the fine powder, the snowfall not quite reaching the mountains base, never the less it still rather chilly. But in all reality the Weyrwoman was only just starting to enjoy the winter, the loss of her little Blue had really put a damper on the whole winter wonderland scenario. In fact the whole plague happened to plunge a lot of owners in to a depression, especially those who had lost a pet to the sickness. Kicking the heels of her boots against the fence pole, the red head looked up toward the mountain tops. How'd you fancy a trip up there later? I'd like to take Kai. He's never seen the snow before. As long as we don't stay too long. I never understood how you could like frozen rain so much. Its fun to play in. There was always so much around Lemos when I was little. You can throw snowballs, and make snowmen. You can also lie on your back and make snow birds by moving your arms and legs around. Sounds just so amusing... I guess its just a human thing then.

She sighed. There were sometimes she wished Millieth was a little more willing to be silly, but apparently she balanced out Nitrath quite nicely, which was good... since Jingth had never gotten along with the older Gold. Hazel eyes shifted from the eating Queen to the Bronze who was on a swift path for the landing area, he was unfamiliar to Millieth on a personal level, which meant he was either a new transfer (very unlikely, she thought) or a wastelander Bronze. The latter being the more prudent choice between the two options. Play nice, please. Kaegan got an uninterested confirmation just as the Bronze landed to deposit his rider, to whom she raised a hand to return the familiar dragonic greeting. Hooking her leg around the post so she could balance without any thought, the Weyrwoman adjusted her jacket before tucking her hands into her pockets.

She looked back out to the enclosure just before the Bronzerider addressed her, albeit with out much formality. Not that she cared much, not right now anyway, it was only them out there and she just wasn't in the mood to enforce things. "She can deal. Annoyance comes more easily to her than offense." Though his question did throw her a little, it was unexpected as not many riders she met at random asked her how she was. "Tired." She said bluntly. "But I'm doing as well as I can be in the aftermath of the plague. Everyday is getting a little easier. " Not that anyone really cared as long as she kept her end of the Weyr's business running smoothly. She looked askance at the Bronzerider, "And yourself?" Returning the question more out of politeness than anything.

There was a grumbling sigh from the Gold as the Bronze bespoke her, talking while she ate was never one of her favorite activities to do. So off-handedly she responded, The black and white herdbeast with a limp, before ripping out more the stomach of her still warm meal. In her opinion the herdbeasts should put up at least a little amusement or challenge before their deaths, injured ones were too easy to pick off.

[Avu]

That wasn’t even a response.

Or well, yes it was, but it wasn’t good enough. And she didn’t even seem to want to play along…or pretend to want to, was it just him or were females normally a tad bit more polite? Undeterred, because if Sparath was that easy to deter he’d never get anything accomplished, the bronze looped idly, refusing to pick off the herdbeast she had named. Oh yes? And that one’s special becausssssse? drawing out the s into a singsong sibilance. The limp…is that quite nice, sunshine, you’ll hurt his feelings pointing out all his itty-bitty flaws like that…or was that an invitation to dinner?

Stop teasing and eat, Ce’thian ordered mentally, with the mental equivalent of an eye-roll; he wasn’t rude enough to do that with Kaegan around, even if the implication that it was Sparath irritating him would’ve likely been quite obvious. Instead he flashed Kaegan a smile at her comment on Millieth. Tempted to point out that Sparath was in no way normal and tended to thrive on annoyance, but Millieth would surely figure that out soon enough and Ce’thian wasn’t responsible for being a constant early warning system for Sparath.

It was a more blunt response to the actual question, and Ce’thian tilted his head to glance at her curiously. He hadn’t had any pets at risk—even if he’d always been particularly interested in the Salamandyrs, Ce’thian had never actually made the effort to attend any Hatchings; Sparath wouldn’t have been jealous but the bronze had pointed out that pets were consistent, living, stubborn weak spots—but he hadn’t been blind to the effect on the Weyr either. The return of the question earned another flash of a pleasant grin; Kaegan didn’t strike him as exceptionally interested in him, but she did strike him as apparently feeling she was obligated to be polite.

“Well, every winter I aspire to become a hermit,” he answered soberly, a half-quirk of one eyebrow the giveaway to the deadpan humor, “So given that good can be defined as very limited human interaction, occasionally with Sparath or a book as a buffer…I’m doing quite well, all things considered.” Ce’thian didn’t like sitting around, necessarily—he actually got very restless with it—but there was something particular about winter that lent itself to being thoroughly unproductive.

He was pretty sure what Sparath’s scouting and blunt manipulation was for; the bronze’s plans were rarely complicated even if he played them up a lot. Ah well, might as well try to appease insane bronzes. “Kai—that’s your kid’s name, right?” Ce’thian didn’t adamantly follow the gossip train (that was Sparath’s job) and he suspected Kaegan was too decent to be much of a gossip topic most of the time anyway, but that, he knew. “He’s doing okay?”

[Tashe]

It was an invitation to do what you came here to do, Sparath. So eat or leave. I leave the decision merrily up to you. Crunching through the bone of the herdbeasts leg, Millieth mulled over the idea of leaving to avoid the chatter then return at a later time. But, dismissed the idea rather unhappily since she was getting full and preferred to just finish what she had left. Even if it meant enduring more mealtime talk. Plus those little nicknames were starting to get annoying.

"Reading a book by the fireside... maybe with some tea..." She sighed slightly, thinking about it. "I also enjoy reading on cold days, if I have free time that is. I'd have liked to poke around the Library, but, until we figure out what the critters are I'm not allowed near it." Kaegan shrugged. She could live without ever seeing the library if need be, but to read about the history of this long abandoned place was alluring. What they could learn about the fauna and flora would be invaluable. "Yes, its Kai." The Weyrwoman rocked slightly forward as she came back to the present, eyes moving from being halfway on the man to fully focused. "He's fine. I'm pretty sure the only reason he's alright with the whole move here, is that he gets to see his friends again."

At least he had friends, for which she was happy for, though she knew how easy it was to loose them. Thinking about it now... she really didn't have any friends. At least ones she hung out with in her free time. Most of the drudges and Weyrfolk were nice to her, when she made her rounds, but for a turn or so now she'd not managed to make any. She had been busy after all... "I don't suppose you have any children, Ce'thian?" He hadn't needed to tell her his name, once Sparath's had been brought up his came jogging along. Kaegan hadn't been chosen as a Goldrider for nothing, memorizing names, places and events was her thing. She'd always thought it was compensation for her lack of brawn. But with all honesty, she sometimes had trouble with the lesser colors like Blues and Greens.

[Avu]

Really? Really?

Generally speaking, Sparath tried to make it a rule not to aggravate queens, of all dragons, too terribly much; they could be vindictive and what have you, not to mention that having queens irritated with you made it difficult to get anywhere, rank-wise, but. But, there could always be exceptions. And this one…absolutely had no sense of humor. Or, hey, manners. Golds didn’t seem to have much pull on a widespread level at this Weyr, anyway. Prized wombs. Think they’d know that by now. Maybe she did. Maybe that was why she was so grumpy. Sparath dipped a wing to skim lower, neatly snatching a herdbeast without fanfare and snapping its neck, pinwheeled to land.

You know what they say sweetheart…two’s company…they also say there’s this little itsy-bitsy line that slides riiight up between ‘polite’ and ‘distant’, or so I’ve heard… drawing out the tease on a rumbling purr as he dipped his head and claws to rip open the herdbeast with sloppy finesse, Let’s see…what other pretty little human sayings are there worth mentioning…

Sparath was pushing. Distracted, Ce’thian “hmm”ed” in response to Kaegan, eyebrows knitting together briefly as he glanced over at the bronze, who shot him an unimpressed dismissal. Ce’thian shifted, leaning his forearms against the fence, and glanced at Kaegan. The library. Right. “Mm, yeah, heard about those. That Salamandyr Run that happened a while back”—the rumors with that, Sparath had had a field day—“Didn’t seem to run into any…monster problems. I understand there’s a noticeability difference between Salamandyrs and people, though, in terms of size if not noise and ego.” Dry humor again, even if it didn’t seem to register on the goldrider.

Hopefully she didn’t think he was being serious, because then he’d just sound dumb.

The question turned back on him earned a startled quirk of his eyebrow, and Ce’thian shook his head, smiling faintly as he glanced back out at Sparath, “Ah, no. I…’m not adverse to the idea or anything. Never came up. And uh, obviously I never got pregnant from a Flight or anything, so.” A flash of a smile at Kaegan. “Got a nephew and a couple nieces up in Nerat, though. Oldest is coming up on eighteen now, I think.” Not that he’d seen them since…pretty much since a couple years after he’d Impressed Sparath. Family tended to fall apart at Benden. Hadn’t had time to go to Nerat just because.

“That makes me sound old,” he added, after a second, “Wow.” He quirked a wry grin at the goldrider, “Older sister. Which doesn’t make it much better, but hey. It’s something.”

[Tashe]

"Oh yes, those poor guards who got dragged into the middle of it." She tugged on a piece of hair as she thought. "You never know, one day we may discover a long lost cousin of the Mandyrs who happen to be as tall as us." Kaegan tilted her head to the side as Millieth told her exactly what she thought of human sized Salamandyrs, and it wasn't exactly polite. The Weyrwoman gave her retort before focusing back onto Ce'thian. Putting a gloved finger in front of her mouth to cover a chuckle, the corners of her mouth twitched up into a smile. The thought of a pregnant Bronzerider was amusing indeed. "It is something indeed."

Lowering her hands she folded them neatly in her lap. "I had a few cousins who were like nieces and nephews to me, but I'm an only child, or at least I think I am. My parents could have had another kid after I got searched by Benden." In fact, it was almost a guarantee that they did. They would need a continuation of their lineage after all, just in case the current Lord and Lady Holder happened to pass away. She probably ceased to exist at all when she turn-coated and fled for Selenitas. Kaegan flapped her hand casually and smiled broader. "Doesn't matter, though I always thought it would be nice to have a little sister or brother when I was younger." Especially a brother, if only to take away most of the pressure she'd been under before being searched. "Kai wants a sibling, he's been wanting to ask me for one. I hear he's even going to ask for one on his Turnday. Too bad the Stork won't be bringing him one anytime soon, if at all." If she'd been anyone else, having another child would have been something she'd thought seriously about. She loved Kai and, even though raising a kid was exhausting, it had been rewarding.

Fluttering her wings before getting up, Millieth licked the blood off her maw. Done with one and ready for another. Leaping into the air with out a second glance to the scattered remains of her previous meal, the Gold drifted quietly. As it looked as if the Bronze was going to be there for a while and seemed as if he wasn't going to stop talking to her (grouchy comments or not), she decided the best thing was to humor him. 'Play along' as it were. I know a few. She said as she circled the feeding grounds. How about... we'll cross that bridge when we come to it, or don't count your chickens before they hatch. Spotting her prey, she dropped down and snapped its neck before hauling it off to where she had been before. She set it down before landing, happy to start eating again.

[Avu]

For a minute he thought the gold planned to just leave—foolish because her Rider was still there but a definite, if brief, idea nonetheless; Sparath tilted his head to watch her, herdbeast blood dying his claws red as he coiled around it idly. Her words earned an amused purr, and Sparath lowered his head to fasten his teeth into the flesh of the herdbeast, lapping at the blood and ripping off a strip of meat before he answered. How fickle humans are aren’t they…don’t think about problems until you get to them but always anticipate that not everything will work out…so contradictory aren’t they, metaphorically, though I suppose literally they’re only logical…but they’re even /meant/ to be taken metaphorically…

He tilted his head back up at Millieth as she picked off her prey, a flash of pleasant blue in his eyes over the blood staining his muzzle. You’d think they weren’t all fussy about clarity and definition and perfection all the time wouldn’t you?

“That’ll be the day.” Not that he had anything against Salamandyrs, exactly; Ce’thian just figured that admiring (or at least acknowledging) them from a distance was much nicer for his sanity than getting up closer and personal, never mind actually Impressing one of them. Firelizards were maybe a little better, but only really in the sense that they couldn’t talk, so no matter what they did they couldn’t possibly be as annoying. A flash of a wry grin at her allowance of his own anxieties over age. He didn’t know how old—or young, probably—Kaegan was, but younger than him. Seventy-five percent of the population of the Weyr seemed to be younger than him, for that matter.

The grin widened at her comment about being an only child, a ghost of genuine affection in the lopsided curve of his mouth. “Ha. I’d trade you. I’d a boat full of ’em. Three older brothers, an older sister, a younger sister. Probably more by now but I stopped…visiting, after a while. Brothers all Impressed at Benden though. R’thir, Er’thiar, and Th’aer, blues and green respectively? Sister’s the one with the big family though. You could borrow one of them for Kai if you’d like, the older ones are very polite, I’m sure they’d recommend a decent one.” His smile was playful as he added, “Gotta say, siblings were a pain sometimes, but they had their moments.”